Safety

Video Safety Tip: Understanding Roundabouts

A number of states — North Carolina, Arkansas, Texas, Oregon, and Washington among them — have begun the process of adding more roundabouts. By slowing traffic speeds and reducing conflict points, roundabouts offer a safer alternative to traditional intersections that use traffic signals or stop signs.

But some drivers still find roundabouts confusing because they’re not used to driving through them.

Here are some tips provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation:

Slow down as you approach the roundabout.

Use the guide signs and lane designation markers to choose the appropriate lane for the intended destination.

Look for pedestrians and bicyclists as you approach the crosswalk. Yield to those intending to cross.

Slow down as you approach the yield sign. Look to the left to see if other vehicles are traveling within the roundabout.

Once there is an adequate gap in traffic, enter the roundabout. Do not stop or change lanes once in the roundabout.

As you approach the intended destination, signal your intent to exit. Look for pedestrians and bicyclists as you exit.

What Not to Do in a Roundabout:

Do not stop inside a roundabout.

Do not change lanes while in a roundabout.

Do not pass another vehicle.

To watch a video on the subject from the Michigan Department of Transportation, click on the photo or link below the headline.

Safety

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will recall up to 2,457 2018 Ram 4500 and Ram 5500 chassis cab trucks for a potential defect that could result in loss of braking due to brake hose corrosion, the company has announced.

The crash took place over the weekend, when the driver of a Tesla Model S rear ended a fire department mechanic truck. Police in Utah are investigating whether Tesla’s Autopilot was on at the time of the crash.

As Barry Pottle, President of Pottle’s Transportation states, “Drivers are the biggest asset in any company.” When accidents happen, you need a way to protect them and SmartDrive does that.
Get started today with the SmartDrive Video-Base Safety Program

Ford Motor Company is adding an estimated 26,000 2015 to 2017 Ford Transit full-size vans equipped with a trailer tow module to an existing recall — bringing the total recall in North America to nearly 99,900 vehicles.

Autocar, LLC (Autocar) is recalling an estimated 541 2018-2019 Autocar Xpeditor vocational trucks because the pinch bolt on the clamp for the adjustable length drag may not have been tightened properly.